New leisure centre taking shape

Slough’s brand new leisure centre is taking shape – as councillors and officers found on a special visit to the Farnham Road site.

Councillor Rob Anderson, lead member for environment and leisure, took a tour of the construction site for The Centre which is due to open in 2019.

One of the highlights was the double-height swimming pool area which has already been fitted with the balancing tanks – submarine-like vessels which will regulate the volume of water in the pool as it is used.

The main steel structure is also now complete with 520 tonnes of steel assembled. And the shape of the building now visible from the road.

Councillor Anderson, said: “This new centre will be a state-of-the-art facility, easily accessible to all and the flagship of our new leisure provision.

“The sheer scale of the building was breathtaking and now it is clearer to see how all the elements that will make this amazing facility will fit together.”

The new centre is expected to be complete in Spring of 2019 and will be run by the council’s leisure contractor, Everyone Active, when it opens.

When complete the building will include:

25m, eight lane, swimming pool

15m by 10m teaching pool with moveable floor

unisex changing village (wet)

poolside sauna and steam room

four court sports hall

135 station gym

three exercise studios

male and female changing facilities (dry)

café

treatment rooms

Councillor Anderson added: “One of our priorities is to help people take control of their own health and wellbeing whether through using one of these amazing new facilities we are building or through the improvements to our parks and open spaces we have planned.”

The new leisure centre is being developed by Slough Urban Renewal (SUR), a partnership between Slough Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments Ltd, which is driving regeneration across the town including leisure, housing, community and school buildings.

Andy Howell, SUR General Manager said: “The team are making great progress and with the structural frame installed it is great to see the building taking shape.

“This is going to be a real asset to the town and offer fantastic opportunities for local people to be more active.”